Ryan Seacrest is stepping down from his longtime position on Live With Kelly and Ryan. The talk-show host, who joined the ABC morning program as a cohost in 2017, announced on Thursday’s live edition that he will leave.
When the program changes its name to Live With Kelly and Mark, Kelly Ripa’s husband and frequent Live stand-in Mark Consuelos (Instagram) will take his spot permanently.
“Working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career,” Seacrest said in a statement. “She has been an amazing partner, friend, and confidant, and although we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together. I also want to thank Michael Gelman and the entire staff and crew — we’ve made memories to last a lifetime, met some of the most incredible people, and had the warmest welcome into the homes of so many viewers across America. It’s been a memorable ride, and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark.”
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When Ripa referred to Seacrest as “family,” Seacrest praised their “trust and bond” and announced that he would return to guest host on future episodes of Live With Kelly and Mark.
During the program, Seacrest broke down in tears and stated, “I love the fact that we get a chance to sit here every day and connect with you in your homes,” “This show really comes together because of an incredible family of people, many of which have been here long before me. They come in every day with a great attitude, a lot of fun, and a lot of laughs, and we put this show on. I have to tell you, I never thought a television show of this caliber was winged so much.”
Ripa claimed in a different statement, “I’m so grateful to have spent the last six years beside my dear friend of too many decades to count and will miss starting my days with Ryan. Ryan’s energy, passion, and love for entertainment are one-of-a-kind.”
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For further information, EW has contacted a Seacrest spokesman.
Initially agreeing to appear for three seasons, Seacrest later chose to stay for six. After beloved anchor Kathie Lee Gifford left the project she helped establish with Regis Philbin in 1988, Ripa joined the show in 2001.
Together with his work on Live, Ryan Seacrest also conducts his own radio show, the annual New Year’s Eve broadcast on ABC, and the American Idol competition series.
Get ready to welcome Mark Consuelos as the new co-host of Live With Kelly and Ryan.
